Magnetic attachment sleeve for beverage container

ABSTRACT

A beverage container attachment device configured and constructed to easily secure a beverage container to any metal structure within arms distance by way of magnet. In a version, the beverage container attachment device generally comprises a magnet having an exposed surface; a housing assembly having a front portion comprising a cavity adapted to receive and seat the magnet; and a band comprising a flexible length of material having a first end and a second end forming a sleeve. The band first and second ends are operably attached to the housing assembly respectively. Generally, the band is sized and configured to envelope the beverage circumference, thereby securing the housing assembly and associated magnet thereto.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the priority filing date of the previously filed, copending U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “MAGNETIC ATTACHMENT SLEEVE FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINER” filed Oct. 16, 2017, App. No. 62/572,821, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to beverage container holders, in particular, to an improved attachment sleeve for securing beverage containers to metal structures.

By way of background, athletes and power lifters frequently utilize various types of drink containers or bottles such as water bottles, shakers, blenders, Nalgene bottles, and other sports type bottles, for transporting their desired sports beverages about the gym while they workout and exercise. However, many athletes find it frustrating that there is frequently no place to put their beverage container while working out, particularly while lifting weights near a rig or other weight lifting structure. Thus, many times, the athlete is left stuck placing their beverage container on the gym floor—where it can be easily kicked over, spilled, or even contaminated.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an improved device which provides the athlete options with regard to beverage container placement aside from the gym floor.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the invention, a beverage container attachment device is provided which is configured and constructed to easily secure a beverage container to any metal structure within arms distance by way of a magnet.

In a version of the application, the beverage container attachment device generally comprises a magnet having an exposed surface; a housing assembly having a front portion comprising a cavity adapted to receive and seat the magnet and laterally opposing first and second band connections; and a band comprising a flexible length of material having a first end and a second end forming a sleeve, wherein the band first and second ends are operably attached to the first and second band connections of the housing assembly respectively, wherein the band is sized and configured to envelope the beverage container circumference, thereby securing the housing assembly and associated magnet thereto.

In other versions, the cavity is shaped to reciprocate and receive the shape of the magnet and position the exposed surface beyond the outer surrounding surface of the front portion.

In yet other versions, the first and second band connections each comprise an attachment member forming an integral slot configured to receive the width of each respective band first and second end therethrough.

In certain versions, the first and second band ends each comprise a means for fastening the respective end within and around the respective integral slot. Preferably, the means for fastening is a hook and loop fastener, wherein each first and second band end is operably configured to loop through each respective integral slot and fasten back upon itself.

In another version of the application, the first and second band ends are tapered inward terminating at a pull tab.

In a certain version, the attachment for securing the magnet within the cavity is a push-in rivet, pin, screw, or snap which passes through the center of the magnet and connects with the housing near the center of the cavity, thereby securing the magnet within the housing assembly cavity.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and accompanying figures where:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a version of the application;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right-side elevation view of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an unassembled perspective view of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an up-close view of the attachment for securing the magnet within the cavity taken from FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an interior side perspective view of the band utilized in the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative perspective view of the version shown in FIG. 1 shown attached to a beverage container;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative view showing attachment of the attachment device of the version shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an illustrative view showing how the attachment device of the version shown in FIG. 1 is placed around a beverage container;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines A-A from FIG. 2; and

FIG. 11 is a rear, up-close view of the first and second band ends and housing first and second band connections of the version shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred version of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, the present invention is a beverage container attachment device for securing beverage containers to a metal structure.

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary versions of the invention. The description is not to be taken in the limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

With reference to the figures, particularly FIG. 1-FIG. 11, a description of a version of the invention will be provided and is generally designated as numeral 10. Generally, the attachment device 10 comprises a magnet 12, a housing assembly 14 for securing the magnet 12 and a band 16 comprised of a length of flexible material terminating at a first end 18 and a second end 20 (See FIG. 6).

In a version of the application, the housing assembly 14 comprises a front portion 22 and a rear portion 24. The front portion 22 comprises a cavity 26 which is shaped to reciprocate, receive, and seat the magnet 12 therein. In the version, the magnet 12 is shaped in a circular manner having a depth, and the cavity 26 is reciprocally shaped in a circular manner having a similar depth and diameter - configured to substantially receive the depth and shape of the magnet 12. Preferably, as best illustrated by FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, the depth of the magnet 12 is partially exposed outside or above the cavity 26, thereby exposing the magnet surface 13 beyond the outer surrounding surface 29 of the front portion 22. In other terms, the exposed surface 13 is positioned beyond the outer surrounding surface 29 of the front portion 22. The exposed magnet surface 13 ensures that the housing assembly 14 will not interfere or hinder attachment of attachment device 10 to an external metal surface (See FIG. 8). Ideally, the exposed surface 13 is flat.

The magnet 14 is secured within the cavity 26 by way of a means for securing or an attachment for securing within the cavity. In the version, as best exemplified by FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the attachment for securing 28 is a screw, pin, snap or push-in rivet which passes through the center of the magnet 12 and connects with the housing assembly 14 at the bottom 30 of the cavity 26. Ideally, the magnet 12 is made of material that exhibits qualities of magnetism—such as a piece of iron (or an ore, alloy, or other material) that has its component atoms so ordered that the material exhibits properties of magnetism, such as attracting other iron-containing objects or aligning itself in an external magnetic field. Preferably, the magnet 12 is high strength magnet utilizing materials such as neodymium.

In the illustrated version as best illustrated by FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the housing assembly 14 rear portion 24 comprises laterally mirrored opposing first and second band connections 32 a, 32 b. In the version, the first and second band connections 32 a, 32 b each comprise an attachment member 34 a, 34 b forming an integral slot 36 a, 36 b within each side of the housing assembly 14 rear portion 24, each configured to receive the width of each respective band 16 first end 18 and second end 20 therethrough respectively.

In a version of the application, the band 16 is generally attachably removable and is comprised of a length of flexible material terminating at the first end 18 and the second end 20 forming a sleeve configuration while attached to the housing assembly 14, wherein the first end 18 and second end 20 are operably attachable to the first band connection 32 a and the second band connection 32 b of the housing assembly 14 respectively. Ideally, the band 16 is sized and configured to envelope the beverage container 90 circumference, thereby securing the housing 14 assembly thereto. Preferably, the band 16 material has expandable attributes allowing the band 16 to stretch around beverage containers during attachment thereto.

In the illustrated version, the band 16 first end 18 and second end 20 each comprises a means for fastening the respective end within and around the respective integral slot 36 a, 36 b. As best illustrated by FIG. 4, FIG. 6, and FIG. 11, each means for fastening the respective end is a hook and loop type fastener configuration 38 a, 38 b. In the version, each of the first end 18 and the second end 20 hook and loop type fastener configuration 38 a, 38 b comprises an exterior contact point 40 a, 40 b and an interior reciprocating contact point 42 a, 42 b, wherein each of the first end 18 and the second end 20 is operably configured to loop through each respective integral slot 36 a, 36 b and fasten back upon itself (See FIG. 11) by way of each hook and loop configuration 38 a, 38 b correlating contact points 40 a, 40 b. Thereby, operably and securely fastening the band 16 to the housing assembly 14. Moreover, the configuration which includes each end 18, 20 of the band 16 looping back and adhering to itself provides a compression force against the bottle 90 while attached, in turn reinforcing the hook and loop type connection.

As illustrated by FIG. 6, certain versions of the application the band 16 first and second band ends 18, 20 may be tapered inward terminating at a pull tab 21. This type of configuration allows the user to easily insert each tapered band end 18, 20 into each respective integral slot 36 a, 36 b and fasten back upon itself. The length of the band 16 may be longitudinally adjustable.

The attachment device 10 can be made in any manner and of any material chosen with sound engineering judgment. Preferably, materials will be strong, lightweight, long lasting, economic, and ergonomic.

The invention does not require that all the advantageous features and all the advantages need to be incorporated into every version of the invention.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in considerable detail, other versions and embodiments of the invention are certainly possible. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments herein.

All features disclosed in this specification including any claims, abstract, and drawings may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose unless expressly stated otherwise. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage container attachment device comprising: a) a magnet; b) a housing assembly comprising a front portion having a cavity and laterally opposing first and second band connections, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive and seat the magnet therein; and c) a band comprising a flexible length of material having a first end and a second end forming a sleeve, wherein the band first and second ends are operably attached to the first and second band connections of the housing assembly respectively, wherein the band is sized and configured to envelope the beverage container circumference, thereby securing the housing assembly and associated magnet thereto.
 2. The attachment device of claim 1, further comprising an attachment for securing the magnet within the cavity, wherein the attachment is a push-in rivet, pin, screw, or snap which passes through the center of the magnet and connecting with the housing near the center of the cavity, thereby securing the magnet within the housing assembly cavity.
 3. The attachment device of claim 1, wherein the cavity is shaped to reciprocate and receive the shape of the magnet.
 4. The attachment device of claim 3, wherein the exposed surface is positioned beyond the outer surrounding surface of the front portion.
 5. The attachment device of claim 4, wherein the first and second band connections each comprise an attachment member forming an integral slot configured to receive the width of each respective band first and second end therethrough.
 6. The attachment device of claim 5, wherein the first and second band ends each comprise a means for fastening the respective end within and around the respective integral slot.
 7. The attachment device of claim 6, wherein the means for fastening is a hook and loop fastener, wherein each first and second band end is operably configured to loop through each respective integral slot and fasten back upon itself
 8. The attachment device of claim 7, wherein the first and second band ends are tapered inward terminating at a pull tab.
 9. The attachment device of claim 1, wherein the first and second band connections each comprise an attachment member forming an integral slot configured to receive the width of each respective band first and second end therethrough.
 10. The attachment device of claim 9, wherein the first and second band ends each comprise a means for fastening the respective end within and around the respective integral slot.
 11. The attachment device of claim 10, wherein the means for fastening is a hook and loop fastener, wherein each first and second band end is operably configured to loop through each respective integral slot and fasten back upon itself
 12. The attachment device of claim 11, wherein the first and second band ends are tapered inward terminating at a pull tab.
 13. A beverage container attachment device comprising: a) a magnet having an exposed surface; b) a housing assembly comprising: a front portion comprising a cavity and laterally opposing first and second band connections, wherein the exposed surface is positioned beyond the outer surrounding surface of the front portion; c) a band comprising a flexible length of material having a first end and a second end forming a sleeve, wherein the band first and second ends are operably and removably attached to the first and second band connections of the housing assembly respectively, wherein the band is sized and configured to envelope the beverage container circumference, thereby securing the housing assembly thereto; d) wherein each of the first and second band connections comprise an attachment member forming an integral slot configured to receive the width of each respective band first and second end therethrough.
 14. The attachment device of claim 13, wherein the first and second band ends each comprise a means for fastening the respective end within and around the respective integral slot.
 15. The attachment device of claim 14, wherein the means for fastening is a hook and loop fastener, wherein each first and second band end is operably configured to loop through each respective integral slot and fasten back upon itself
 16. The attachment device of claim 15, wherein the first and second band ends are tapered inward terminating at a pull tab.
 17. A beverage container attachment device comprising: a) a circular shaped magnet having a flat exposed surface; b) a housing assembly comprising: a front portion comprising a cavity shaped to reciprocate and receive the shape of the magnet, wherein the exposed surface is positioned beyond the outer surrounding surface of the front portion. c) a means for securing the magnet within the cavity; and d) a band comprising a flexible length of material having a first end and a second end forming a sleeve, wherein the band first and second ends are operably attached to the first and second band connections of the housing assembly respectively, wherein the band is sized and configured to envelope the beverage container circumference, thereby securing the housing assembly thereto; wherein the housing assembly rear portion first and second band connections each comprise an attachment member forming an integral slot configured to receive the width of each respective band first and second end therethrough; wherein the first and second band ends each comprise a hook and loop type fastener configuration, wherein each first and second band end is operably configured to loop through each respective integral slot and fasten back upon itself by way of the hook and loop fastener.
 18. The attachment device of claim 17, wherein the means for securing the magnet within the cavity is pin, screw, push-in rivet or snap which passes through the center of the magnet and connecting with the housing near the center of the cavity, thereby securing the magnet within the housing assembly cavity;
 19. The attachment device of claim 17, wherein the first and second band ends are tapered inward terminating at a pull tab. 